Melissa Vachal

The meeting agenda included discussions and considerations for several applications, including a temporary fresh water industrial use point of diversion for Schenk LLC, and multiple conditional use requests filed by Sundre Sand & Gravel Company Inc. for gravel mining in various townships. A conditional use permit request by Caleb Bates for placing a mobile home in a residential zone was also reviewed. Other key discussions involved topics brought forward by the North Dakota Livestock Alliance regarding Livestock Facilities, the second hearing for changes to the Land Development Code (LDC) including provisions for Data Centers and Battery Storage, and informational updates on temporary water permits. Ongoing business items included Gravel Pits, Green Acres Subdivision, Data Centers, and Battery Storage Facilities. Staff updates covered a proposal for LDC review of the Animal Feeding Ordinance and efforts toward making online forms ADA compliant.

The special session of the Board included a discussion regarding a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of New Town concerning the placement of municipal utilities within the right of way on CR 19. The Board subsequently approved the execution of this Memorandum of Agreement.

The board reviewed several conditional use and variance requests regarding the placement of modular homes, mobile homes, and setback requirements for residential properties. The agenda included the processing of numerous new and renewed temporary water permits and lay flat hose permits for industrial water pumping operations. Additionally, the board considered several building permits for garage and home construction projects. Ongoing business discussions focused on the status of gravel pits, development plans for the Green Acres Subdivision, moratoriums on data centers and battery storage facilities, and updates regarding the animal feeding ordinance and upcoming staff inspections.

The meeting included the Pledge of Allegiance, opening procedures, and the welcome of a newly appointed commissioner. Key agenda items involved the review and approval of the agenda, elections for Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary, and a first hearing regarding proposed changes to the Land Development Code, including new sections for Data Centers and Battery Storage. The board also reviewed several items for information only: a new Temporary Water Permit application from Atlas Engineering LLC in Alger Township, two Temporary Water Permit Non-Transferable Renewals also involving Atlas Engineering LLC, and two Lay Flat Hose Permits for EOG Resources Inc. in McAlmond and Burke Townships, and Austin Township, respectively. Ongoing business included updates on Gravel Pits, the Green Acres Subdivision, and the current moratoriums on Data Centers and Battery Storage Facilities. Staff updates covered an upcoming Emerging Industries Conference.

The Commissioners reviewed and approved the agenda and bills totaling $225,381.98. They approved January 2020 Recorder's fees and February 2020 Clerk of Court fees. Payroll agreements for three regular full-time employees were approved. A residential lease for Townhouse 7 was approved. The amended Mountrail County Council on Aging Contract was approved. The Board approved serving as the host county for the Vision Outreach Coordinator position. A liquor license transfer to Kubas Investments DBA Belden Chuck Wagon was approved pending finalization. The Board reviewed 2020 General Fund Financials. Discussions concerning COVID-19 led to approvals for allowing up to 14 days of negative vacation balance for childcare, authorizing supervisors to approve unpaid leave, implementing mandatory isolation periods (7 days for out-of-state travel/exposure, 14 days for out-of-country), allowing remote access to Kronos, and adopting a Health Emergency Declaration for Mountrail County. During public hearings, the zoning request to change agricultural land to industrial for wind farm equipment storage for Curtis & Leslie Trulson was approved. A zoning request to change industrial land to commercial for a welding shop for Oilfield Rentals Inc. was also approved. A new Resolution authorizing the creation of the Mountrail County Weather Modification Authority for an additional five-year period was approved. Discussions were held regarding lighting replacements at the South Complex, cleaning procedures for County rentals, and the purchase of a 2020 F150 Ford Pickup, which was approved for $35,900. Three separate property tax abatements for Parcel #14-90000200 due to a storm-destroyed mobile home for tax years 2018, 2019, and 2020 were approved. The Recorder's budget amendment to allow participation in the Stanley High School work experience program was approved for further discussion after the HR Advisory Committee meeting. The Board approved a three-year contract for the Village Business Institute for the Employee Assistance Program and approved 2.5 hours of unpaid leave for an employee. Road & Bridge items included approving an extension for Farden Construction for the 96th Ave NW Project and hiring a contractor for tree removal on the ROW. The Board agreed to wait until May to submit the 404 Permit for the 76th Ave NW/CR 3 and CR 4 Projects to utilize new USACE guidelines. An Amendment to the Agreement for Engineering Services with HDR Engineering for CR 19 Reconstruction was approved.